There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins. We believe His sacrifice completely satisfied the Father's righteous judgment against sinful mankind. We believe that it is by God's grace -- and His grace alone -- that we are saved by faith in what Jesus did on our behalf.
Knowing this we also understand we are meant to form a unified body of believers in Jesus Christ.
As Christ's body on earth our lives should be exemplary in our conduct and love toward one another. We know, however, that within our flesh there is nothing good. God is the only one who can give us the strength to live the lives we should in this world.
As members of Christ's body on earth, we seek to live out His commands and avoid the things our human nature is prone to do, both consciously and subconsciously. As the apostle Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
How remarkable that we are redeemed for eternity by the precious blood of God's own Son and then given the ultimate honor of representing Him here on earth. If God, in His great love for us, invites us to be part of His family and we have the privilege of being heir to His riches, faith must be the guide to living out our life in His will, and with His power.
In this world, we have but one body. God grant each of us through the power of His Holy Spirit to lay it down daily in faithful obedience and willing sacrifice.
THE PRAYER: Beloved Father, be in our hearts and minds every moment of our lives. Thank You for Your promises and for making us a part of the body of believers. Help us live out our faith in active love for others. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: This devotion is based on a text sent by Teresa Montoya Luna, a worker with Lutheran Hour Ministries-Mexico, which is also called Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (Christ for all Nations). From its office in Tijuana, Baja California, LHM-Mexico serves this country of more than 110 million by utilizing Project JOEL, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping the Saints (ETS), radio and television spots, and interactive public booths to share the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 33-34 Acts 23:16-35
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